MLB PlayMakers 3 Lineup AnnouncedIt’s Not So Much a Lineup as a ConstellationFriday, August 19, 2011

McFarlane Toys has baseball fever, and as the division and wild card races heat up it’s a great time to announce our lineup for MLB PlayMakers 3. This third series of our kid-friendly and heavily-articulated sports figures is scheduled to arrive in stores next February, just in time for Spring Training. Only the very best players make it into the PlayMakers lineup – so who made the cut for 2012? Take a peek…

Adrian Gonzalez: Boston sent plenty to pry the four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner away from San Diego. With a lethal bat and a brilliant glove, it didn’t take “A-Gone” long to endear himself to the Beantown faithful. Gonzalez is a strong MVP candidate, and poised to handle first base duties for the Red Sox for a long, long time.

Robinson Cano: Some believe the Yankees’ second baseman made his mark nationally with his superb 2010 season, but a worldwide audience watched him take batting practice from his father during the All-Star Home Run Derby. He crushed 32 homers, including 12 in the final round (and one that flew 472 feet) to win the championship.

Starlin Castro: The Cubs’ shortstop enjoyed a breakout season during his first year in 2010, and followed it up by sneering at the “sophomore slump.” Castro is hitting for better average and power, as well as stealing more bases and providing a better glove defensively. He earned his first All-Star nomination this summer, and looks to be the face of the Cubs franchise moving forward.

Cliff Lee: The Cliff Lee Sweepstakes had an unexpected winner this last off-season, as the Philadelphia Phillies brought him back and put together one of the most impressive pitching staffs in recent memory. Lee has been as good as advertised for Philadelphia, earning 13 wins in his first 25 starts while compiling a 2.82 ERA and helping the Phillies out to a big lead in the National League East.

Buster Posey: Everything worked out for Posey in his rookie season last year, as he was earned Rookie of the Year honors while directing the Giants' pitching staff to the team’s first World Series championship in San Francisco. Posey’s 2011 season was cut short by an awkward collision at home plate, but he’ll be ready to get on the field next Spring.

Derek Jeter: A rough first half saw Derek Jeter struggle to get his swing right, but after cranking a home run for career hit number 3000, the Yankee Captain has been on an absolute tear. Jeter has hit .359 following his historic homer. This Jeter figure will be offered in a fielding pose, the first time a fielding Jeter PlayMakers figure has been available as a regular release.

Josh Hamilton: The four-time All-Star and defending American League MVP is back for more, punishing pitchers and leading the Texas Rangers to a sizable lead in the A.L. West. Hamilton put up strong numbers last year too, but Texas fell short in the World Series – will the re-vamped Rangers lineup have enough to bring home a championship?

Jacoby Ellsbury: Boston’s center fielder lost most of his 2010 season to injury, but a return to health has put his career right back on track. Ellsbury has done it all for the Red Sox, hitting for average and power, stealing bases and providing stunning defensive work in the outfield.

MLB PlayMakers 3 is scheduled to arrive on shelves in early February 2012. Stay tuned to McFarlane.com for photos of these figures and so much more.

McFarlane ToysMcFarlane Toys is the fifth largest action figure manufacturer in the United States. Established in 1994 to manufacture and sell action figures based on founder Todd McFarlane's comic book character Spawn, the international award-winning company has expanded into licensed products to become one of the premiere action figure producers on the planet. Check out the McFarlane Toys’ Catalog, where you can see all of our current figures, previews of upcoming toys, and even a massive archive of every action figure we've ever made.

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